Older Adults and People with Disabilities

Haslam touts disabled workforce efforts in Chattanooga

Nov. 08--Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today touted state and local efforts to hire people with disabilities, saying the initiative is trying to change the thinking of some employers.

"I challenge you if you're an employer out there to say how can this work in my environment," said Haslam during a stop at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he met disabled workers in the food service area employed by vendor Aramark.

He cited a partnership between UTC, the state and Chattanooga'sOrange Grove Center that supports and helps find jobs for the disabled.

"That's kind of how it should work," said Haslam.

He accepted a report by the Employment First Task Force, which is aimed at bolstering the opportunities for people with disabilities in Tennessee.